Albert Barnes Commentary John 1:48

"Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." — John 1:48 (ASV)

From where do you know me? – Nathanael was not yet acquainted with the divinity of Christ and supposed that Jesus was a stranger to him. Hearing Jesus express a favorable opinion of him, he naturally inquired how Jesus had any knowledge of him. His conscience testified to the truth of what Jesus said—that he himself had no guile—and he was anxious to know from where Jesus had learned his character.

Before that Philip called you – See John 1:45.

When you were under the fig tree – It is evident that it was from something that had occurred under the fig tree that Jesus judged his character. What that was is not recorded. It is not improbable that Nathanael was accustomed to retire to the shade of a certain tree, perhaps in his garden or in a grove, for the purpose of meditation and prayer. The Jews were much in the habit of selecting such places for private devotion, and in such scenes of stillness and retirement, there is something especially favorable for meditation and prayer. Our Saviour also worshipped in such places. Compare John 18:2 and Luke 6:12. In that place of retirement, it is not improbable that Nathanael was engaged in private devotion.

I saw you – It is clear from the narrative that Jesus did not mean to say that he was bodily present with Nathanael and saw him; rather, he knew his thoughts, his desires, his secret feelings and wishes. In this sense, Nathanael understood him. We may learn:

1. That Jesus sees what is done in secret and is therefore divine.
2. That he sees us when we little think of it.
3. That he sees us especially in our private devotions, hears our prayers, and marks our meditations.
4. That he judges our character chiefly by our private devotions. These are secret; the world does not see them; and in our closets we show what we are. How fitting it is for us, therefore, that our secret prayers and meditations should be without “guile” and hypocrisy, and be such as Jesus will approve!